Saturday, October 31st 2026   |

Music

David Bowie was into kabbalah and other Jewish facts about the late icon

By GABE FRIEDMAN

(JTA) — It was clear long before the Internet swelled with heartfelt tributes to David Bowie that the late musician was an artistic legend. The 69-year-old Englishman, who died Sunday after an 18-month battle with cancer, reinvented...

ADL honors Matisyahu for standing up to anti-Israel boycott

(JTA) — The Anti-Defamation League honored the American Jewish reggae singer Matisyahu for standing up against an anti-Israel boycott.

Matisyahu performed his anthem “Jerusalem” on Thursday at the ADL annual meeting in Denver.

In August, he was slotted to play...

Matisyahu concert attracts thousands near Jerusalem’s Old City walls

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Thousands of Israelis turned out to see the American Jewish reggae singer Matisyahu perform in Jerusalem.

“Jerusalem, I’m home,” Matisyahu said Saturday night during his concert at Sultan’s Pool, outside the Old City.

The crowd turned out...

From Madonna to Vampire Weekend, ‘super producer’ Ariel Rechtshaid makes his mark

By GABE FRIEDMAN

(JTA) — What do Madonna, Vampire Weekend, Usher, the Plain White T’s and Justin Bieber have in common?

In addition to getting extensive play on Top 40 radio stations, they have all worked with Grammy-winning producer Ariel...

Pharrell Williams concert venue in South Africa drops legal bid to fend off BDS

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (JTA) — Organizers of a concert by American pop star Pharrell Williams have abandoned their legal action against pro-Palestinian demonstrators protesting against his presence there.

The Sun International hotel group had launched an urgent court interdict...

Matisyahu performs outside Auschwitz following Spain appearance

(JTA) – Three days after a performing at a reggae festival in Spain that had previously disinvited him, Matisyahu brought his music to a synagogue near the gates of Auschwitz.

The Jewish-American singer gave an intimate acoustic concert Tuesday night...

Matisyahu performs ‘Jerusalem’ in Spain amid Palestinian protests

(JTA) — American Jewish singer Matisyahu sang his song “Jerusalem” as protesters waved Palestinian flags at a music festival in Spain. Matisyahu performed a 45-minute set early Sunday morning at the Rototom SunSplash Festival, two days after the festival apologized...

After apology from Spanish festival, Matisyahu confirms he will perform

(JTA) — After being re-invited, American Jewish reggae star Matisyahu confirmed he will perform at a Spanish music festival. On Friday, two days after the Rototom SunSplash Festival apologized for canceling his performance in the face of pressure from the...

Matisyahu ousted from Spanish festival for not endorsing Palestinian state

(JTA) — Matisyahu was disinvited from a Spanish music festival because he would not publicly endorse Palestinian statehood.

The Jewish-American reggae singer was scheduled to perform Aug. 22 at the Rototom Sunsplash festival in Benicassim, near Barcelona. But his show...

NPR’s Nina Totenberg reclaims dad’s stolen violin, now worth millions

By JULIE WIENER

(JTA) — Jewish violin virtuoso Roman Totenberg enjoyed a long life, making it to the ripe old age of 101. But that wasn’t quite long enough to be reunited with the prized instrument that was stolen from him...